Vacuum cleaner hose assembly and apparatus and method used in making same

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner hose assembly and apparatus and method used in making same is provided wherein such hose assembly comprises a vacuum hose, and a plurality of electrical conductors extending along the vacuum hose with each conductor having its opposite ends arranged immediately adjacent the opposite ends of the vacuum hose; and, electrical connectors are fixed to opposite end portions of each conductor with each of the connectors comprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edges defining sides of a slot and each knife-like portion is arranged generally transverse the elongated dimension of the associated end portion of its conductor with the conductor end portion wedged between the opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection. A pair of hose connectors are fixed to the opposite ends of the vacuum hose and formed substantially as an integral part thereof and each of the hose connectors has associated electrical connectors embedded therein.

United States Patent [191 Holden [4 1 Dec. 23, 1975 1 VACUUM CLEANERHOSE ASSEMBLY AND APPARATUS AND METHOD USED IN MAKING SAME [75]Inventor: Homer N. Holden, Sylva, NC.

[73] Assignee: Dayco Corporation, Dayton, Ohio [22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1974[21] Appl. No.: 519,909

[52] US. Cl 174/47; 138/103; 339/97 R; 339/15 [51] Int. Cl. F16L 11/12;H01B 7/00 [58] Field of Search 138/103; 174/47; 339/97 R, 339/97 C, 15,16 R, 16 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,105,795 8/1914Johnston 174/47 2,516,864 8/1950 Gilmore et al 174/47 3,034,085 5/1962Pauler et al 1 339/16 R 3,127,227 3/1964 Edwards A 339/15 3,300,571l/l967 Downey et al 1 174/47 3,314,039 4/1967 Opper i 174/47 3,533,6291/1971 Brown et al. 174/47 3,683,319 8/1972 Vigeant et a1 339/97 R3,824,527 7/1974 Evans 339/97 R 3,848,954 11/1974 Sedlacek 339/97 RFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 862,660 3/1961 United Kingdom 174/47Primary ExaminerRichard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-Richard R.Stearns Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Reuben Wolk [57] ABSTRACT A vacuumcleaner hose assembly and apparatus and method used in making same isprovided wherein such hose assembly comprises a vacuum hose, and aplurality of electrical conductors extending along the vacuum hose witheach conductor having its opposite ends arranged immediately adjacentthe opposite ends of the vacuum hose; and, electrical connectors arefixed to opposite end portions of each conductor with each of theconnectors comprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edgesdefining sides of a slot and each knife-like portion is arrangedgenerally transverse the elongated dimension of the associated endportion of its conductor with the conductor end portion wedged betweenthe opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electricalconnection. A pair of hose connectors are fixed to the opposite ends ofthe vacuum hose and formed substantially as an integral part thereof andeach of the hose connectors has associated electrical connectorsembedded therein.

16 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of33,928,715

F IG.3 48 43 U.S. Patent Dec.23, 1975 Sheet2of3 3,928,715

FIG? 74 FIG.9

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet30f3 3,928,715

FIG. 10

VACUUM CLEANER HOSE ASSEMBLY AND APPARATUS AND METHOD USED IN MAKINGSAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vacuum cleaners of the so-called tankor canister type often employ a vacuum hose assembly which is connectedto the tank at one end and at its other end has a cleaning tool such asa rotatable cleaning brush, or the like, which is usually powered by anelectric motor whereby it is necessary to provide necessary electricalconductors and connectors along the assembly hose. Because the vacuumcleaner hose industry is such a highly competitive one there is aconstant effort being made by hose manufacturers to produce quality hoseassemblies with the required electrical conductors and connectors yet atminimum cost.

SUMMARY This invention provides a high quality vacuum cleaner hoseassembly and apparatus and method used in making same wherein such hoseassembly is particularily adapted for use with a tank or canister typevacuum cleaner and wherein such hose assembly is of simple, economicaland safe construction. The hose assembly comprises, a vacuum hose, aplurality of electrical conductors extending along the vacuum hose witheach conductor having its opposite ends arranged immediately adjacentthe opposite ends of the vacuum hose, electrical connectors fixed toopposite end portions of each conductor with each of said connectorscomprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edges definingsides of a slot and each knife-like portion is arranged generallytransverse the elongated dimension of the associated end portion of itsconductor with the conductor end portion wedged between said opposededges to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection; and a pairof hose connectors are fixed to said opposite ends of the vacuum hoseand formed substantially as an integral part thereof with each of thehose connectors having associated electrical connectors embedded thereinand providing the sole support therefor.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will be readilyapparent from the exemplary embodiments thereof presented in thefollowing specification, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show presentexemplary embodiments of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is aperspective view with parts in elevation, parts in cross section, andparts broken away illustrating a vacuum cleaning apparatus together withan ex emplary vacuum hose assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating amale hose connector and associated male electrical connectors providedatone end of the hose assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating afemale hose connector and associated female electrical connectorsprovided at the opposite end of the hose assembly; 7

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of one end of a vacuum hoseshowing the manner in which such hose is cut initially perpendicular toits longitudinal axis;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the manner in which thevacuum hose and its integral electrical conductors are cut further todefine the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a pair of femaleelectrical connectors installed in position at the end of the vacuumhose after cutting thereof as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken essentially on the line 77 of FIG. 6 andillustrating the shorter one of the pair of electrical connectors ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken essentially on the line 88 of FIG. 6 andillustrating the longer one of the pair of electrical connectors of FIG.6;

FIG. 9 is a view taken essentially on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating a comparatively longmale electrical connector;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating a male electricalconnector which is shorter in axial length than the electrical connectorof FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a'perspective view with parts in cross-section, parts inelevation, and parts broken away illustrating an exemplarysemi-automatic machine and certain method steps which may be used in themaking of the hose assembly of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a cutting apparatus and method stepswhich may comprise the machine of FIG. 12 to cut each end of theassociated vacuum hose in the manner shown in FIG. 5 in one cuttingstep;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a connector installing apparatus whichmay comprise the machine of FIG. 12 and such apparatus is used toinstall a pair of female electrical connectors on associated electricalconductors in a single step; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a lower half of a mold apparatus which is usedto form hose connectors with electrical connectors embedded therein atopposite ends of a vacuum hose as an integral part of such vacuum hoseto define the hose construction of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to FIG. 1of the drawings which illustrates an exemplary vacuum cleaner or vacuumcleaning apparatus which is designated generally by the referencenumeral 25 and which employs one embodiment of a vacuum cleaner hoseassembly of this invention which is designated generally by thereference numeral 26. The apparatus 25 has a canister or tank 27provided with a suitable vacuum tube 30 extending outwardly from the topportion thereof and the apparatus 25 uses electrical power to operateits vacuum unit and in a manner which is well known in the art.

The apparatus 25 has a female electrical receptacle 31 either mounted onor provided as an integral part of its tank 27 and the receptacle 31 isused to supply power through the hose assembly 26 of this invention toan electric motor 32 comprising the terminal end of a cleaninginstrument 33 which is suitably operatively connected at 34 to the hoseassembly 26 in accordance with techniques which are well known in theart. The apparatus 25 has an electrical cord assembly 35 provided with amale fitting 36 and a female fitting 37 and the connector 36 isinstalled within the electrical connector 31 while the connector 37 issuitably electrically connected to the hose assembly 26 to provide anelectrical connection to the hose assembly 26. The apparatus has anotherelectrical cord assembly 40 which has a male connector 41 at one endelectrically connected to the hose assembly 26 and the opposite end ofthe electrical assembly 40 is suitably electrically connected to themotor 32 of the cleaning instrument 33. The electrical connectorsprovided at opposite ends of the hose assembly 26 and used to connectthe cord assemblies 35 and tothe hose assembly 26 will be described indetail subsequently.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, the hose assembly 26 is comprised of aflexible vacuum hose 42 which has a plurality of two wires 43 and 44provided substantially as an integral part thereof and as is well knownin the art the wires 43 and 44 are dual function wires which serve asreinforcing wires to assure that the vacuum hose 42 may be flexed orbent as required in normal use yet it retains its tubular configurationthroughout without collapse; and, the wires also serve as electricalconductors. The wires or conductors 43 and 44 are insulated by tubularelectrical insulating sleeves 45 and 46 respectively and in this examplethe wires with their sleeves extend in substantially helical patternsalong the hose 42 whereby the hose 42 has helical convolutions along itslength.

The hose assembly 26 has a pair of electrical connectors fixed to eachof its opposite ends and in this example each wire 43 and 44 has a maleconnector designated by the reference numeral 47 fixed to one thereofand a female connector 48 fixed to its opposite end. The male connectors47 are electrically connected to the female fitting 37 of the elctri'cal cord assembly 35 and the female connectors 48 are suitablyelectrically connected to the male connector 41 of the cord assembly 40whereby once the apparatus 251s suitably connected to an electricalsource, power is provided to the female connector 31 and an electricalcircuit is completed to the motor 32 through cord assembly 35, maleconnectors 47, conductors 43 and 44, female connectors 48, and cordassembly 40. It will be appreciated that, if desired, suitable controlsincluding on-off switches, and the like, may be provided at any point inthe abovementioned electrical circuit.

The electrical connectors 47 and 48 are of comparatively inexpensiveconstruction and easy to install with minimum time and effort, Themanner in which the electrical connectors 47 and 48 are-fixed toassociated end portions of their conductors 43 and 44 will be describedin detail subsequently and unique apparatus and method steps providedfor this purpose will be described in detail subsequently.

l The hose assembly 26 has a pair of hose connectors 51 and 52 fixed toits opposite ends and each hose connector 51 and 52 is providedessentially as an integral part of the vacuum hose 42 in as much as eachhose connector is preferably formed or made in position against anassociated end portion of the vacuum hose 42. As shown in FIG. 15, forexample, the opposed end portions of a vacuum hose 42 may have the hoseconnectors 51 and 52 suitably molded in position thereon using injectionmolding techniques by placing the associated end portions 53 and 54respectively in respective mold cavities 55 and 56 in the lower half 57of a mold apparatus 58. The end portions 53 and 54 have their electricalconnectors 47 and 48 suitably fixed in position on their conductors 43and 44 and in the showing of FIG. 15 the connectors are beneath theirassociated hose end portions and suitably supported and aligned byfixtures, as is well known in the art. whereupon the other half (notshown) of the mold apparatus 58 is installed inposition and a suitableelastomeric or plastic material is injected through a channel 60 todefine the hose connectors 51 and 52 in a simultaneous manner whilesimultaneously embedding the electrical connectors 47 and 48 in theirrespective hose connectors 51 and 52.

The plastic material of the hose connector 51 serves as a matrix for themale connectors 47 which are positioned so that their terminal outerends are arranged in coplanar aligned relation, with the plane of theends being parallel to a plane coinciding with the end of the hoseconnector .51. The pins 47 are embedded in a protected position asindicated at 62 in FIG. 2 while being readily accessible through anaccess opening 63. Similarly, the female connectors 48 are arranged inaligned parallel relation with their terminal ends in a plane which issubstantially parallel with a plane coinciding with the end of the hoseconnector 52. The female connectors 48 are embedded so that theelastomeric material of connector 52 serves as a matrix for theconnectors 48. The plastic material of the hose connectors 51 and 52provides the sole support for the electrical connectors 47 and 48respectively. Further, it will be seen that the end of connector 51 isadopted to be received within the vacuum tube 30 while the cleaninginstrument 33 has an end 64 which is adopted to be received in connector52.

Having described the vacuum cleaner hose assembly 26 and associated,components the detailed description will now proceed with a descriptionof the unique electrical connectors 47 and 48 provided at opposite endsof the vacuum cleaner hose assembly 26 and the female connectors will bedescribed first making particular reference to FIGS. 6-9 of thedrawings.

Each female electrical connector is designated by the reference numeral48 although one connector, the connector of FIG. 7, has a shorter axiallength than the connector of FIG. 8. Different length connectors 48 arerequired and as will be readily apparent from FIG. 6. In particular, theincreased length of one female connector 48 is necessary to take intoaccount the spacing between the helically wound conductors 43 and 44 andsuch spacing is indicated at 65 in FIG. 6. This length is taken intoaccount by providing an added length in the central portion of thelonger electrical female connector 48 of FIG. 8 whereby the detaileddescription will now proceed with the remaining portions of each femaleconnector electrical which are substantially identical.

Each connector 48 is preferably made of a singlepiece or sheet ofelectrically conductive material (see FIGS. 7-9 and so that it has atubular end 66 which is adopted to receive an associated electrical pintherein, and an approximately U-shaped attaching portion 70 with theU-shaped portion 70 being defined by a bight 71 adjoined at its oppositeends by a pair of knife-like portions each designated by the samereference numeral 72.

Each knife-like portion 72 is a double-thickness portion provided withopposed double thickness edges 73 defining sides of a slot 74, and, aswill be readily apparent from FIG. 6 each knife-like portion 72 isarranged generally transverse the elongated dimension of the associatedend portion of its electrical. conductor or wire 43 or 44 with anexposed part of the wire end portion being wedged between the opposededges 73 to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection. Thedimension of the lower portion of the slot 74 is such that once aconnector 47 is installed in position its knife-like portions 72 serveto cut through the insulating sleeve, either 45 or 46 depending uponwhether the conductor 43 or 44 is being cut, and provide metal-tometalcontact as shown at 75 in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The slot 74 in this example is in the form of a keyhole shaped slothaving a substantially circular upper portion 76 and a lower portionprovided with flared surface portions 77 each of which adjoins anassociated double thickness edge portion 73 whereby either sleeveinsulated conductor 43 or 44 may be easily positioned along a surface 77which acts as cam surface or ramp toward edge portions 73. Once the wireor conductor is forcefully urged toward the large portion 76 the opposededges 73 serve as knives cutting the insulating sleeve, either 45 or 46,exposing the associated wire to provide the firm mechanical andelectrical connection. The conductor wire is then further pushed withinthe enlarged portion 76 of the slot, which is shown enlarged in anexaggerated manner in this example, whereby the wire is, in essence,trapped and held within portion 76.

Having described the female electrical connectors 48 the descriptionwill now proceed with a detailed description of the male electricalconnectors illustrated in FIGS. and 11. The connectors of FIGS. 10 and11 are substantially identical to the female electrical connectors 48with the exception that instead of each connector 47 having a tubularend for receiving a connector pin therewithin each connector 47 has anend 80 in the form of a pin with the pin 80 having a rounded end 81which may have a central opening 82 therein which enables easierfabrication thereof. Each male electrical connector 47 also has acentral transition portion 67 similar to the transition portion 67 ofeach female electrical connector 48 with the connectors 47 of FIGS. 10and 11 having different lengths for similar reasons as the femaleconnectors 48 of FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively. Each male connector 47 alsohas a U-shaped portion 70 with its bight 71 and double-thicknessknife-like portions 72 provided with slots 74, edge portions 73, as wellas the other component portions of the U-shaped portion 70.

It will also be appreciated that each electrical connector 47 or 48instead of having a double thickness knife-like portion 72 may beprovided with a single thickness portion, as desired. Indeed the edgeportions 73 of such single thickness knife-like portions may be sharpknife edges to facilitate cutting into the electrical insulating sleeveas well as providing partial cutting into the solid electrical conductortherebeneath.

The vacuum hose 42 of the hose assembly 26 may be made utilizing anysuitable technique known in the art and in this example the vacuum hose42 is shown having a helical outer surface defined by outwardly convexhelical convolutions having the supporting and conductor wires 43 and 44therein. The vacuum hose 42 is then cut as will now be described toenable easy installation of the connectors 47 and 48.

In particular, opposed ends of a given desired length of hose are firstcut so that each terminal end thereof has an edge 83 which lies in aplane which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 85 of such vacuumhose 42 and as shown in FIG. 4. The end of the vacuum hose after havingbeen cut as shown in FIG. 4 is then cut as is illustrated in FIG. 5 sothat its outside edge has a 6 unique configuration as illustrated at 86in FIG. 5 and includes a pair of cutouts 87 and 88. With the cut end of'the hose 42 as shown in FIG. 5 an outermost wire 44 isarranged with itsend further away from the longitudinal axis while the end of an adjacentturn of the wire 43 is closer to the axis or center line 85. Thisarrangement is provided so that upon fixing the shorter femaleelectrical connector 48 on wire 44 and the longer electrical connector48 on the wire 43 as shown in FIG. 6 the terminal ends of the electricalconnectors are in aligned relation.

The female electrical connectors are suitably installed in position byforcing or urging each connector 48 against its associated conductorwire while suitably backing up the wire so that the forcing actionresults in simultaneous cutting through the sleeve around the conductorwire while providingthe firm mechanical and electrical contact definedby edge portions 73 engaging the diametrically opposed surfaces ofconductor wire as explained earlier.

Thus, it is seen that this technique does not require soldering,twisting of wire end portions together, use of special connectors, orthe like, yet provides a mechanical and electrical connection of highstructural strength and optimum electrical conductivity. In addition,once the hose connectors 51 and 52 are suitably formed or molded intoposition against opposite end portions of the vacuum hose 42 theelectrical connectors 47 and 48 are supported in a plastic matrix andthe plastic surrounds while being in intimate contact with the connectorparts which are to be supported thereby assuring that the electrical andmechanical connection is maintained throughout the entire life of thehose assembly 26.

The above detailed description has been made with particular referenceto the installation of female electrical connectors 48 on the terminalends of the electrical conductor wires 43 and 44. However, it will beappreciated that substantially the same procedure is used in installingthe male electrical connectors 47 in position whereby the vacuum hose 42would be cut in a similar manner as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the maleelectrical connectors 47 then suitably installed in position and in asimilar manner as shown in FIG. 6.

It will be appreciated that the installation of connectors 47 and 48 onconductors 43 and 44 is achieved by arranging each elongated connector47 or 48 transverse the length of the conductor and pushing or forcingwire and connector together.

The cutting of the end as shown in FIG. 5 may be achieved manually in aplurality of steps and likewise installation of each electricalconnector 47 or 48, as shown in FIG. 6 for connector 48, may be achievedmanually or in a series of steps. Preferably, cutting and installationis achieved either automatically or semiautomatically. For example, FIG.12 of the drawings illustrates an exemplary semi-automatic apparatus ormachine a part of which may be used to cut the opposite ends of apredetermined length of vacuum hose 42 as shown in FIG. 5 after havingfirst cut such opposite ends square as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The cutting action may be achieved in a simultaneous manner by aguillotine type cutting device 96, as shown in FIG. 13, and whichemploys a central mandrel 97 and a pair of saddle-shaped cutters 98(shown schematically) which are actuated by suitable actuating rods 99and in one simultaneous stroke cut on end of the vacuum hose 42 todefine the configuration illustrated in 7 FIG. 5. The machine 95 has apair of devices 96 provided therein on the left side thereof as shown at100 whereby both ends of a length of hose 42 after having been cut asshown in FIG. 4 are slipped over mandrels 97 and cut simultaneously uponactuating a foot pedal (not shown) of the machine 95.

It will be appreciated that each mandrel 97 is preferably made of asuitable material, which is a hard plastic material, which may berepeatedly engaged a large number of times by the special configurationcutters 98 without damage to such cutters and minimum wear whileproviding the required back-up of the hose 42 to facilitate cutting todefine the cut configuration shown in FIG. 5 in both ends of the hose42.

With each end of the vacuum hose 42 cut as shown in FIG. 5 theelectrical connectors 47 and 48 may then be suitably installed thereonwith a pair of connectors 47, (i.e., a short and a long connector) atone end of the hose 42 and a pair of connectors 48 (again a short and along connector 48) at the opposite end.

The machine 95 provides simultaneous installation of a long and shortfemale connector 48 at one end of the vacuum hose 42 as shown at 102 andsimultaneous installation of a long and short male connector 47 in theopposite end of the vacuum hose 42 as shown at 103.

The female connectors 48 are fed through a two compartment conduit 105at the rear of the machine 95 in spaced parallel relation and inribbon-like form with the short female connectors 48 being attached onone ribbon 106 and the long female connectors being attached on theopposite ribbon 107. Similarly, the male electrical connectors 47 arefed through a two compartment conduit 110 at the rear of the machine 95in spaced parallel relation and in ribbon-like form with the short maleconnectors 47 being attached to one ribbon 111 and the long connectorsattached on an associated ribbon 112.

The machine 95 operates to install the two female connectors 48 at oneend of hose 42 and the two male connectors 47 at the opposite end ofhose 42 in a substantially simultaneous manner using a pair ofinstalling devices 113 as shown in FIG. 14.

Upon placing the opposed ends of the vacuum hose 42, cut as shown inFIG. 5, in position within the apparatus 95 as illustrated at 103 thedevices 113 are simultaneously turned on. Accordingly, each device 113has a hammer member 114 which is relatively urged toward a backup member115, after the ribbons have positioned or interposed their associatedconnectors 47 or 48 between hammer 114 and anvil 115.

A device 113 is provided for installing a pair of female connectors 48and a similar device is provided for installing a pair of maleconnectors 47 and it will be appreciated that either member 114 or 115or both may be moved to provide the installing action of shoving theelectrical connectors around their conductor wires.

After simultaneous installation of a plurality of four connectors (47 atone end of hose 42 and 48 at the opposite end) the opposed hose ends arepositioned in accordance with techniques known in the art in the mold ofFIG. 15, as explained earlier, to define hose connectors 51 and 52.

It will be appreciated that the machine 95 is provided with suitableelectrical power and suitable means to operate its devices 96 and 113.Further, the machine 95 has suitable switches, controls, etc. asrequired to operate the machine 95.

The vacuum hose 42 comprising the hose assembly 26 of this invention ispreferably made of any suitable material which may be in the form of aflexible plastic material. Further, while any suitable plastic materialmay be used to define the hose connectors 51 and 52 at opposite ends ofthe hose assembly 42 a thermoplastic material such as polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, and the like, is preferably utilized. Inaddition, the thermoplastic material is preferably molded in position byinjection molding to the hose connectors as well as embed the associatedelectrical connectors in position.

The thermoplastic material used to define the hose connectors 51 and 52should be compatible with the flexible plastic material comprising thevacuum hose 42 to thereby assure that the hose connectors are formed atopposite ends of the vacuum hose essentially as an integral partthereof. It will also be appreciated that the electrical insulatingsleeves 45 and 46 on the electrical conductors 43 and 44 are also madeof a suitable plastic material which is compatible with the plasticmaterial of both the vacuum hose 42 and connectors 51 and 52.

In this disclosure of the invention the hose assembly 26 is shown ashaving a male hose connector 51 at one end provided with male electricalconnectors and a female hose connector 52 at its opposite end providedwith female electrical connectors. However, it will be appreciated thatthe concept of this invention utilizing the unique electrical connectors47 and 48 may be used to provide an improved vacuum cleaner hoseassembly similar to the hose assembly 26, but which may have male hoseconnectors at both ends, female hose connectors at both ends, and thelike, and the electrical connectors provided on each of these assemblieswill be selected as required in accordance with standard safe practicesin the industry.

In this disclosure each electrical connector 47 or 48 has a U-shapedportion provided with a bight 71 and a pair of knife-like portions 72;however, it will be appreciated that each connector 47 or 48 may bemodified so that only a single knife-like attaching portion 72 isprovided and has a slot 74, edge portions, etc., as desired.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention and methods ofpracticing the same have been illustrated and described, it will berecognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied andpracticed within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A vacuum cleaner hose assembly comprising, an elongated vacuum hosehaving opposite ends and a central longitudinal axis, a plurality ofelectrical conductors extending in a helical pattern along said vacuumhose with each conductor having opposite end portions each disposed in ahelical path about said longitudinal axis and each said opposite endportion being arranged immediately adjacent the associated opposite endof said vacuum hose, a plurality of electrical connectors each fixed toan associated end portion of each conductor while being disposedsubstantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, each of saidelectrical connectors comprising a knife-like portion provided .withopposed edges defining sides of a slot, each knifelike portion beingarranged generally transverse the helical path of the associated endportion of its conductor with the conductor end portion being wedgedbetween said opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electricalconnection, and a pair of hose connectors fixed to said opposite ends ofsaid vacuum hose and formed substantially as an integral part thereof,each of said hose connectors having associated ones of said electricalconnectors embedded therein and providing the sole support therefor.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said electricalconnectors include a plurality of male electrical connectors each fixedto an associated electrical conductor and embedded in one of said pairof hose connectors and a plurality of female electrical connectors eachfixed to an associated electrical conductor and embedded in the other ofsaid hose connectors.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said plurality ofelectrical conductors comprise a pair of electrical conductors whichalso serve as reinforcing wires for said vacuum hose, said electricalconnectors include a pair of male electrical connectors arranged inspaced parallel relation and each fixed to an associated electricalconductor and embedded in one of said pair of hose connectors and a pairof female electrical connectors arranged in spaced parallel relation andeach fixed to an associated electrical conductor and embedded in theother of said hose connectors.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which said hose has integralconvolutions therein which extend in a helical pattern between said hoseconnectors.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said pair ofintegral hose connectors is made of a thermoplastic material whichprovides said sole support for associated electrical connectors as wellas electrical insulation therefor.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which said vacuum hose is madeof a thermoplastic material and said hose connectors are made byinjection molding and of a thermoplastic material which is compatiblewith the material used to make said vacuum hose.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said electricalconductors also serves as a reinforcing wire for said vacuum hose andhas its own plastic electrical insulating sleeve therearound and saidedges of said knife-like portion of each connector extend through saidinsulating sleeve and wedge an associated conductor therebetween.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said electricalconnectors comprises another knife-like portion arranged parallel to thefirst knife-like portion of each connector, said other knife-likeportion also being provided with opposed edges defining sides of asecond slot which is arranged in aligned relation with said first-namedslot, said other knife-like portion also being arranged generallytransverse the helical path of the associated end portion, saidknife-like portions cooperating to provide a double mechanical andelectrical connection of each electrical connector on its associatedconductor.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 in which the wedging of eachconductor between opposed edges of an associated knife-like portion isthe sole means holding an electrical connector and conductor together.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 in which each of said electricalconnectors has a U-shaped portion 10 defined by a bight and a pair ofoutwardly extending legs and said knife-like portions of each connectorcomprise the outwardly extending legs thereof.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 in which each of said slots ineach knifelike portion is a keyhole shaped slot.

12. A method of making a vacuum cleaner hose assembly comprising thesteps of providing an elongated vacuum hose having opposite ends and acentral longitudinal axis, extending a plurality of electricalconductors in a helical pattern along said vacuum hose so that eachconductor has opposite end portions each disposed in a helical pathabout said longitudinal axis and each said opposite end portion beingarranged immediately adjacent the opposite ends of said vacuum hose,providing electrical connectors at opposite end portions of eachconductor, each of said electrical connectors comprising a knife-likeportion provided with opposed edges defining sides of a slot, arrangingeach knife-like portion generally transverse the helical path of theassociated end portion of its conductor, relatively moving the conductorend portion and associated electrical connector together to wedge saidconductor end portion between said opposed edges to provide a firmmechanical and electrical connection wherein each electrical connectoris disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, andforming a pair of hose connectors around said opposite ends of saidvacuum hose as an integral part thereof to thereby simultaneously embedassociated ones of said electrical connectors therein and therebyprovide the sole support for the associated electrical connectors.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which said step of extendingelectrical conductors comprises extending a pair of electricalconductors, and said step of providing electrical connectors comprisesproviding a pair of male electrical connectors at one set of endportions of said pair of electrical conductors and a pair of femaleelectrical connectors at the opposite set of end portions of said pairof electrical conductors.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 in which said step of extending apair of electrical conductors comprises the step of extending a pair ofelectrical conductor wires having comparatively high strength in saidhelical pattern along the length of said vacuum hose whereby saidelectrical conductor wires also serve as reinforcing wires preventingcollapse of said vacuum hose.

15. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which said step of providing avacuum hose comprises providing a vacuum hose made of a thermoplasticmaterial and said step of forming a pair of hose connectors around saidopposite ends of said vacuum hose comprises forming said hose connectorsof a thermoplastic material which is compatible with the thermoplasticmaterial of the vacuum hose and by injection molding process.

16. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which said step of relativelymoving the conductor end portion and associated electrical connectortogether comprises moving each electrical connector radially outwardlyagainst its conductor end portion with a hammer member and against abackup member. l

1. A vacuum cleaner hose assembly comprising, an elongated vacuum hosehaving opposite ends and a central longitudinal axis, a plurality ofelectrical conductors extending in a helical pattern along said vacuumhose with each conductor having opposite end portions each disposed in ahelical path about said longitudinal axis and each said opposite endportion being arranged immediately adjacent the associated opposite endof said vacuum hose, a plurality of electrical connectors each fixed toan associated end portion of each conductor while being disposedsubstantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, each of saidelectrical connectors comprising a knife-like portion provided withopposed edges defining sides of a slot, each knife-like portion beingarranged generally transverse the helical path of the associated endportion of its conductor with the conductor end portion being wedgedbetween said opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electricalconnection, and a pair of hose connectors fixed to said opposite ends ofsaid vacuum hose and formed substantially as an integral part thereof,each of said hose connectors having associated ones of said electricalconnectors embedded therein and providing the sole support therefor. 2.An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said electrical connectorsinclude a plurality of male electrical connectors each fixed to anassociated electrical conductor and embedded in one of said pair of hoseconnectors and a plurality of female electrical connectors each fixed toan associated electrical conductor and embedded in the other of saidhose connectors.
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which saidplurality of electrical conductors comprise a pair of electricalconductors which also serve as reinforcing wires for said vacuum hose,said electrical connectors include a pair of male electrical connectorsarranged in spaced parallel relation and each fixed to an associatedelectrical conductor and embedded in one of said pair of hose connectorsand a pair of female electrical connectors arranged in spaced parallelrelation and each fixed to an associated electrical conductor andembedded in the other of said hose connectors.
 4. An assembly as setforth in claim 3 in which said hose has integral convolutions thereinwhich extend in a helical pattern between said hose connectors.
 5. Anassembly as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said pair of integralhose connectors is made of a thermoplastic material which provides saidsole support for associated electrical connectors as well as electricalinsulation therefor.
 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 in whichsaid vacuum hose is made of a thermoplastic material and said hoseconnectors are made by injection molding and of a thermoplastic materialwhich is compatible with the material used to make said vacuum hose. 7.An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said electricalconductors also serves as a reinforcing wire for said vacuum hose andhas its own plastic electrical insulating sleeve therearound and saidedges of said knife-like portion of each connector extend through saidinsulating sleeve and wedge an associated conductor therebetween.
 8. Anassembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said electricalconnectors comprises another knife-like portion arranged parallel to thefirst knife-like portion of each connector, said other knife-likeportion also being provided with opposed edges defining sides of asecond slot which is arranged in aligned relation with said first-namedslot, said other knife-like portion also being arranged generallytransverse the helical path of the associated end portion, saidknife-like portions coOperating to provide a double mechanical andelectrical connection of each electrical connector on its associatedconductor.
 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 in which the wedgingof each conductor between opposed edges of an associated knife-likeportion is the sole means holding an electrical connector and conductortogether.
 10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 in which each of saidelectrical connectors has a U-shaped portion defined by a bight and apair of outwardly extending legs and said knife-like portions of eachconnector comprise the outwardly extending legs thereof.
 11. An assemblyas set forth in claim 10 in which each of said slots in each knife-likeportion is a keyhole shaped slot.
 12. A method of making a vacuumcleaner hose assembly comprising the steps of providing an elongatedvacuum hose having opposite ends and a central longitudinal axis,extending a plurality of electrical conductors in a helical patternalong said vacuum hose so that each conductor has opposite end portionseach disposed in a helical path about said longitudinal axis and eachsaid opposite end portion being arranged immediately adjacent theopposite ends of said vacuum hose, providing electrical connectors atopposite end portions of each conductor, each of said electricalconnectors comprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edgesdefining sides of a slot, arranging each knife-like portion generallytransverse the helical path of the associated end portion of itsconductor, relatively moving the conductor end portion and associatedelectrical connector together to wedge said conductor end portionbetween said opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electricalconnection wherein each electrical connector is disposed substantiallyparallel to said longitudinal axis, and forming a pair of hoseconnectors around said opposite ends of said vacuum hose as an integralpart thereof to thereby simultaneously embed associated ones of saidelectrical connectors therein and thereby provide the sole support forthe associated electrical connectors.
 13. A method as set forth in claim12 in which said step of extending electrical conductors comprisesextending a pair of electrical conductors, and said step of providingelectrical connectors comprises providing a pair of male electricalconnectors at one set of end portions of said pair of electricalconductors and a pair of female electrical connectors at the oppositeset of end portions of said pair of electrical conductors.
 14. A methodas set forth in claim 13 in which said step of extending a pair ofelectrical conductors comprises the step of extending a pair ofelectrical conductor wires having comparatively high strength in saidhelical pattern along the length of said vacuum hose whereby saidelectrical conductor wires also serve as reinforcing wires preventingcollapse of said vacuum hose.
 15. A method as set forth in claim 12 inwhich said step of providing a vacuum hose comprises providing a vacuumhose made of a thermoplastic material and said step of forming a pair ofhose connectors around said opposite ends of said vacuum hose comprisesforming said hose connectors of a thermoplastic material which iscompatible with the thermoplastic material of the vacuum hose and byinjection molding process.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 12 inwhich said step of relatively moving the conductor end portion andassociated electrical connector together comprises moving eachelectrical connector radially outwardly against its conductor endportion with a hammer member and against a backup member.